Car Stereo, Speaker, Amplifier and Subwoofer Installation / Installer FAQ
Something doesn't sound right. It sure doesn't sound GOOD. It's time for an upgrade, but where do you begin? A reputable independent specialist is your best bet. Here are some things to consider before you reach out: What do you like about the current system? What's on your wish list for improvements? If adding a subwoofer or a few, what space are you willing to give up to accommodate the required enclosure? Do you have an idea of what your budget for the project is? Do you have any idea what a reasonable budget actually is?
One of the things that customers often struggle with is how to establish performance goals. The most important factors here are: What styles of music do you enjoy listening to and at what volume? Does the vehicle present particular challenges, possibly including a "premium" OEM audio option? What's the budget? While the best bang for the buck tends to be in mid-level components, sometimes you need to step up in order to overcome a challenge presented by the vehicle or listening habits. Sometimes, the cure for these challenges is found in a custom installation. Sometimes, money is no object, as long as the wish list is satisfied. Many shoppers tell us that they "listen to everything"... this will prompt the question of whether that includes Rap, Hip Hop, EDM, Reggae or other bass heavy genres that are less than satisfying without a solid subwoofer solution. That's a fork in the road when it comes to system design. Another is "I just want it to sound better" and this one is usually sorted out with the following question: "do you want (insert favorite song here) to flap your pants leg / bury your karaoke voice or do you want to clearly discern the clarinet from the oboe in your favorite symphony piece? Brute force, fine resolution or a combination of both?
With several decades of creating car audio solutions behind me, I've seen lots of changes, but I've found that some ratios for system design/budget have been consistent or at least similar. In most cases, the installation labor becomes a smaller slice of the pie as you upgrade components, within reason. Note that this doesn't include a source unit. We're assuming that the existing infotainment will be the source and will require interface parts to get signal to the new amplifier(s). Here is an example of one of our Level 2 systems, by percentage:
install: 35%, parts: 13%, amplifier: 20%, speakers: 18%, subwoofer: 14%
This should get you started with establishing a budget if you have your eye on one of the ingredients. We can also map out a plan to build your system in phases, so that waste and duplicate labor is minimized while still making forward progress on a budget.
For best results, just hit the EASY button and come see us. We’ll make sure that your wish list is checked off and your ride is sounding better than ever. As always, we're here to guide you to great car audio solutions for whatever you are driving or riding.
Ride Revolution LLC
610-788-2226
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